Process measures will provide insight about the feasibility of the exercise prescriptions. Included measures are: recruitment (percent of interested survivors who consent); adherence (the number of sessions attended); compliance (the degree to which the survivors follow the exercise prescription); and safety (all adverse events will be recorded)

Muscular Endurance will be assessed using the standard load test. Participants will lift a weight equal to 50% one repetition maximum as many times as possible. The bench press and leg press will be used to measure endurance of the upper and lower body.

Changes in Quality of Life [ Time Frame: Baseline (end of week 1); Midpoint (end of week 7); Final (end of week 13) ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Quality of Life will be assessed using the Medical Outcomes Survey - Short Form. This survey measures multiple aspects of quality of life including: physical function, role-physical, bodily-pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional, and mental health.

Fatigue will me measured using the Fatigue scale of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment. This is a 13 item questionnaire that measures the degree to which a cancer survivor experiences fatigue

Physical activity will be estimated using the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire.

Original Secondary Outcome Measures ICMJE

Same as current

Current Other Outcome Measures ICMJE

Not Provided

Original Other Outcome Measures ICMJE

Not Provided

Descriptive Information

Brief Title ICMJE

Strength Training Study for Survivors of Breast and Gynecologic Cancer

Official Title ICMJE

The Effect of Resistance Exercise Frequency in Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Survivors

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to compare once-a-week vs. twice-a-week strength training in survivors of breast and gynecologic cancer to determine which is the optimal exercise prescription.

Detailed Description

As a result of cancer and its treatment, survivors of breast and gynecologic cancer are reported to have deficits in both physical and psycho-social health. In cancer survivors exercise has been shown to improve fitness, increase bone density and lean body mass, enhance self-esteem, and reduce fatigue. These changes have a positive effect on the survivor's physical functioning and quality of life. However, there are few studies which have examined the effects of strength training or studies aimed at determining optimal exercise prescription in this population. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to compare two strength training prescriptions (once-a-week vs. twice-a-week strength training) to determine which prescription (if any) results in greater benefit for survivors. It is hoped that the results of this study will lead to a better understanding of how strength training improves the health of survivors and will help inform future exercise guidelines for this population.

This is a 13 week strength training program. Sessions will be supervised by a Certified Exercise Physiologist in a group setting.

Other Names:

Resistance Exercise

Weight Training

Body Building

Exercise

Physical Activity

Restive Exercise

Study Arm (s)

Experimental: Once-a-week Strength Training

After completing the introduction to strength training (two sessions in the first week), participants randomized to the once-a-week group will receive 12 additional weeks of progressive strength training. Participants will meet ONCE-A-WEEK to strength train in a supervised exercise group. The program includes nine exercises.

Intervention: Behavioral: Strength Training

Experimental: Twice-a-week Strength Training

After completing the introduction to strength training (two sessions in the first week), participants randomized to the twice-a-week group will receive 12 additional weeks of progressive strength training. Participants will meet TWICE-A-WEEK to strength train in a supervised exercise group. The program includes nine exercises.

Intervention: Behavioral: Strength Training

Publications *

Not Provided

* Includes publications given by the data provider as well as publications
identified by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number) in Medline.

Recruitment Information

Recruitment Status ICMJE

Recruiting

Estimated Enrollment ICMJE

20

Estimated Completion Date

May 2013

Estimated Primary Completion Date

May 2013 (final data collection date for primary outcome measure)

Eligibility Criteria ICMJE

Inclusion Criteria:

Female Survivor of Breast or Gynecologic Cancer

Completed Primary Treatment (hormone treatments are ok)

18 years of age or older

Physician's Permission to Participate

Exclusion Criteria:

High Risk Individuals (determined by questionnaire)

Secondary Health Problems that could increase the risk of participating (Includes but not limited to: Uncontrolled angina/hypertension, heart failure, osteoporosis, brain metastases, history of seizures).

Report participating in a strength training program in the past six (6) months